Ron Perranoski

Ronald Peter Perranoski (born Perzanonwski, April 1, 1936-October 2, 2020) was converted from a starting pitcher in the college and the minor leagues to one of the top relief pitchers during the 1960s. The Chicago Cubs originally signed Ron, but he was then traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers with two others for Don Zimmer. Starting only one game that year, 1961, Perranoski posting a 7-5 record, finishing 15 games and recording six saves. As a second year pro, Ron led the National League in appearances (70) for the first of three times in his career and posted 20 saves. In 1963, Perranoski had a career year when he went 16-3 and led the NL in winning percentage (842) and appearances (69) and saved 21 games as the Dodgers won the National League pennant and World Series over the New York Yankees. Ron finished fourth in voting for the NL MVP award that year. He also helped the Dodgers beat the Minnesota Twins to win the 1965 World Series in seven games. The Dodgers lost to the Baltimore Orioles in the 1966 Fall Classic. Ron went 0-1 with seven games-finished, nine strikeouts and one save in postseason play. Perranoski pitched 13 years in the Major Leagues with the Dodgers (1961-1967, 1972), the Twins (1968-1971), the Detroit Tigers (1971-1972) and the California Angels (1973). He twice led the league in games finished and posted back-to-back seasons in 1969 and 1970 leading the American League in saves with 31 and 34, respectively. Ron Perranoski finished his career with a 79-74 record, 687 strikeouts, 179 saves and a 2.79 ERA in 458 games finished and 737 appearances. He started only one game in his entire Major League career.